Ron Paul: We Must Fiscally Restrain Our Government

The media insists on characterizing statements about dependency on government handouts as controversial, but in truth such statements are absolutely correct. It’s not that nearly half of Americans are dependent on government; it’s actually more than half. If one includes not just people on food stamps and welfare, but also seniors on Medicare, Social Security and people employed by the government directly, the number is more like 165 million out of 308 million, which is 53%.

Some argue that Social Security and Medicare benefits are a right because people pay into these programs their whole lives, or that we need a government safety net in place for people who fall on hard times. However, this all becomes a moot point when the funds people depend on become worthless due to government default or rampant inflation.

The Fed recently announced that it plans to keep interest rates near zero and keep buying near worthless assets from banks indefinitely. This enables Congress to spend without having to take deficits or the debt seriously and there is every indication they intend to spend with impunity until the system collapses. There are no brakes on the runaway train. The federal debt ceiling law does nothing to limit spending. The ceiling will have to be raised yet again perhaps before the year is out. What is happening in Greece with austerity measures and riots in the street will happen here within a decade according to some realistic estimates if we do not find some way to fiscally restrain our government.

There is little point in a debate about being entitled to healthcare or food or shelter from fellow taxpayers if the whole system has collapsed. And, with the way our politicians have taken over and mismanaged vast amounts of resources, collapse seems almost unavoidable. Yet the number of Americans who have significant dependency on government is dangerously high, and I honestly fear for them.

Worse, corporate welfare is also at an all time high with no signs of diminishing. Though it is hard to quantify, Tad Dehaven at Cato has estimated that the government spends nearly twice as much on corporate welfare than on social welfare. Both parties are equally guilty. More and more, the business sector is learning to rely on taxpayer largesse in one form or another. They used to be solely concerned with providing a better product to the consumer at a better price. Now, success on Wall Street depends entirely too much on having the best lobbyists on K Street. If one includes the employees of “private” businesses who depend on government contracts, grants or bailouts, there are even more people dependent on government in some way.

Government does not create resources when it taxes people and prints money; it merely redistributes the wealth, while supporting a massive, wasteful bureaucracy along the way. Government is a giant, blood-sucking parasite on our otherwise healthy economy. For too long we have entrusted too much economic power and influence to irresponsible politicians in Washington. It’s the chaos that ensues after they run the system into the ground that will be so painful for so many people. But realigning our economy with the free market and away from government mandates and handouts must happen in order for it to thrive again.

The answer is not to keep asking government to do more. The answer is to extricate our economy and ourselves from the grasp of Washington DC as much as possible now, before our dependency becomes our downfall.

Sorry, right now he has the power that you and I don’t have. The time is ripe and he needs to step up. You might know him but, many don’t. He needs to get his face and message out there to the masses while he is able. He has enormous power in numbers going for him. To call it quits doesn’t fly. If He needs a PR guy to help him so be it. Hire one. We’re living in a media age and its not asking to much for him to give it a last push, to reach more people until the 2012 election is over in 4 weeks.

Like or Dislike:00

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=Seal6Sniper Seal6Sniper

Cashing out my 401-K early, taking the tax hit, buying a sailing yacht and plan to live in international waters (armed to the teeth). Good thing I love seafood. We’re screwed blue and tatooed!

Like or Dislike:00

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=phantomscolts1 phantomscolts1

is no one listening?

Like or Dislike:00

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=TheWayha TheWayha

Many of our young people here in Western Massachusetts are not on Welfare but rather Social Security Disability. A loop they found following Clintons’ Welfare Reform Act. You attend a detox center twice and your eligable for life. Federal programs stop, Welfare, SSD, etc. inner cities will become extremely dangerous places. Food prices go above gov. handouts this too would create great threat for those who have by those who have not. This is going to get challenging.

Like or Dislike:00

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=JCKustom13 JCKustom13

I can’t believe people some times. I was 16 in 2008 when I first heard of Ron Paul, I couldn’t believe how few people supported him! Mostly conservatives who claimed to be for smaller government kept calling him a nutjob! Sadly 2012 didn’t work out, I still have no idea why people believe the 2 parties.

Like or Dislike:00

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=tayronachan tayronachan

called the housing bubble in 2001

Like or Dislike:00

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=BorderCityBandit BorderCityBandit

I was 16 in 1992.and was excited that my hometown boy Ross Perot was running 3rd party 4 prez.yet I was dismayed at the ignorance and kool aid drinking I saw that year from repukes and dumbasscrats.we have to break this mass herd like ignorance.I hear ppl say ROMNEY ,looks “Presidential”-so looking like a slippery,slimey backstabbing used car salesman is presidential,RON PAUL was a chance at redemption,a chance to get back on track as a nation.instead we overwhelmingly support 2 Bullshit artist.

Like or Dislike:00

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=MrJonsteel MrJonsteel

He’s not the smartest person in the world he just cares

Like or Dislike:00

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=madelinelolsen madelinelolsen

I wish you could do something about Texas not allowing write-ins. I’m just going to leave the top of my ballot blank on the digital screen. They can’t flip that one particular vote hopefully, as they did my primary vote.

Like or Dislike:00

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=megatroll megatroll

It’s over.
To the few Americans who didn’t fall victim to lies and propaganda, I sincerely hope you will find a solution for this mess. As we’ve all seen by now, “political choice” is merely an illusion. Always was.
You need to face the truth of the US being a corporate fascist military empire controlled by zionist jew banking cartels who manipulate the petrol dollar.
I’d suggest doing what your ancestors did: Start a revolution!
By now it’s clear there is no chance through diplomacy.
Good luck.

Like or Dislike:00

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=upsideadown upsideadown

You have peaked my interest. “lawful money”?

Like or Dislike:00

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=monjiaitaly monjiaitaly

I love you Ron Paul, but america is done. Obama will get elected again, and drive us into oblivion.

Do Not volunteer to use the “Federal Reserve Note” it is private scrip
Read 12 U.S.C. 411
Ask yourself where you can get some “Lawful Money”, and more importantly why you are required to demand it.
pax

11:52 am: "Yes I know brother that he ran as a republican, it is sad enought that he not can run as an LIBERTARIAN. I truly hope he’s gonna run again. We can only support him..." - knowitall

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Enter your email address in the box below and click "Subscribe!"

Links

Disclaimer

RonPaul.com is maintained by independent grassroots supporters of Ron Paul. Neither this website nor the articles, posts, videos or photos appearing on it are paid for, approved, endorsed or reviewed by Ron Paul or his staff.

Support RonPaul.com

All donations go towards maintaining and expanding the RonPaul.com fansite.